Lazy back



u. R BECK 2,186,318

LAZY BACK Jan. 9; 1940.

ed June 24, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 9, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jline. 24, 1938 mum ///H/1 I I u or! 1 lfl .mN N l I w; L ZJ v UI QBAN 18.550? J l,

ATTOENEYS Patented Jan. 9, 1 940 r Wars 7 ti s This invention relates to new and fusefulim provements in lazy backs and more particularly to such backs of the hinged type. :An object. of the present invention is to provide a suitable support for a lazy back whereby the latter; may be reversed with respect to the seat, so that the lazy back may function equally well, regardless of the direction in which the occupant of the seat may be facing.

10 A further object isto provide a novel hinge for pivotally connecting a lazy back to its seat, whereby the lazy back may be folded into fiatwise relation with respect to the seat, when not inuse, and whereby the lazy back may be selectively positioned at either side of the seat, so that the occupant of the seat may face in either direction.

A further object is to provide a reversible hinge structure adapted to pivotally support a hinged member in such a mariner that the member is capable of swingingiaboutopposed edges thereof, and also whereby it,may be folded into flatwise relation with its supportingmeans.

,Otherobjects of the invention reside in the simple and inexpensive construction of the apparatuswhich comprises few parts which are so interconnected thatthe hinged member may be operated in either direction; in the provision of such a device comprising a pair of links, each having. one end pivotally connected to a fixed member and having their opposite ends connected to a member mounted for pivotal; movement, anda brace having its' ends pivotally con nected to the intermediate portions of said links,

ail-thereby to, limit swinging movement of one of said linkswith respect to the other, when the device is moved into operative position; in a hinged structure comprisinga pair of similar links normally disposed in spaced parallel rela- 40 tion, when theapparatus is collapsed, and each of said links having one end connected to a com- -mon fixed support, and having their opposite ends connectedto a member mounted for pivotal movement, the axes of said pivots being so dis- 5 posed that the pivoted member may be swung,

upwardly into operative position from either side or end of the fixed sup-port; in the provision of such a device which is extremely simpleand inexpensive, whereby it may be manufactured in quantity production at small cost; and, in the provision of a r'eversible hinge which may read- .ily be used for pivotally supporting various types of hinged members such, forexample, as a lazy back, a door,- and; various other devices which are 55 mounted for swingingmovement and wherein it 'is desirable thatjthe swinging movement of said member may be reversed.

Other objects of the invention will appearf'rom the following description. and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed t claimsr 1, In the accompanying drawings there'has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to l t the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow In the drawings: I t

Figure 1 is a view showingthe invention-ap- 1 5- plied to a seat such asmay be used inaconventional boat Figure 2 is a similar View but showing the lazy back reversed from the position shown in Figure'l; .20

Figure 3 is a view showing the lazy back 001- lapsed, or folded into flatwise relationwith respect to the seat; l v

Figure 4 is a view showing in full ,and dotted. lines, the lazy back'partially unfolded; 25

Figure 5 is a sectional plan View on the line L 5-5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a detail view showing how the links and associated parts are folded into nested ,relation. 30

In the selected embodiment of the invention here shown,'there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a suitable panel S which may represent theseat of a boat, and which preferably is fixedly mounted upon'suitable supports, such as theside Walls of the .boat, not shown.

The, seats ordinarily provided in a row boat, usually comprise a single panel or board sup ported at its ends. These seats, as a rule, are not provided with lazy backs-because when the boats 40 are used for fishing, conventional lazy backs are 7 usually in the way and interfere with the move- ,ments of the fisherman. v

or the fisherman or occupants-of'the boat.

The novel hinge herein disclosed is clearly- -illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and comprises an vvided at one end with spaced lugs 4 and E3 and at their opposite ends with similarly spaced lugs B and i. The rails are secured to the seat S by suitable securing elements, such as screws or bolts 8. Similar rails 9 are secured to the lazy back L, and like the rails 3, are provided at one end with suitable spaced lugs ii and i2 and at their opposite ends with similar lugs i3 and M. As the two hinges are alike in construction, but one will be described in detail.

To pivotally connect the lazy back L to the seat portion S, each hinge has one end of a link I5 pivotally connected to the lug t by a pivot l6, and a pivot E's connects the opposite end of the link E5 to the lug i3 of the rail. 9 of the lazy back L. A similar link it has one end pivotally connected to the lug H of therail 9 by a suitable pivot I9, and its oppositeend to the lug t of the rail 3 of the seat portion S by a suitable pivot 2 i When the lazy back is folded into flatwise relation with respect to the seat S, as shown in Figure 3, the pivots l6 and is at one end of the hinge or atone side of the seat, will be axially alined, and in like manner, the pivots H and El at the opposite end of the hinge will be axially alined, as clearly illustrated in Figure 5.

The lugs 5, l, 52, and it, serve as guides, and cooperate to prevent lateral movement of the parts of the hinge, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 5 and 6. To retain the lazy back L in operative position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a suitable brace, generally indicated by the numeral 22, has its ends pivotally connected to the intermediate portions of the links l5 and i8, respectively, by suitable pivots 23 and 24. The brace 22 is shown comprising two parts, pivotally connected together as shown at 25, whereby said brace may be folded as clearly illustrated in Figures 3, l, and 5, when the lazy back is folded into parallel relation with respect 119 they seat.

lazy back is in an operative position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The novel hinge, herein disclosed, is very simple and inexpensive in construction. As-will be noted, by reference to the drawings, the rails 3 and 9 are identical in construction and in like manner, the links 55 and it are alike, whereby the device may be made in quantity production at low cost. The braces 22 are also alike in construction, and have their ends pivotally connected to the rails 15. and 38 at points midway between the ends of the rails, so that when the lazy back is in its normal inoperative position, shown in Figure 3, it may be swung upwardly to operative position from either side, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 1, 2, and 4. This is a very desirable feature of applicants invention in that it makes it possible for the occupant of the seat to face in either direction by simply swinging the lazy back into either one of its selected positions, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. When the lazy back is folded into flatwise relation with respect to the seat, it may be used as the seat proper without interfering with the movements of the occupants of the boat.

Two complete hinges are preferably used for each lazy back, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and said hinges, as previously stated, are identical in construction. The hinges are secured to the seat S and lazy back L with the pivots I6 and it of each pair of hinges axially alined, and

. with the pivots l1 and 2! of eachpair axially alined. By thus securing the hinges to the seat, the lazy back may readily be reversed from one position to another, as the braces 22 are so connected to the links l5 and 18 that they serve in the same manner, regardless of the position of the lazy back, when in operative position.

Itwill be noted by reference to the drawings that the lugs 4, 5, 6, and l are secured to or formed integrally with the rails 3 and, that in like manner, the lugs H, l2, I3, and M are fixed to the rails 9. It is to be understood that if desired, the rails 3 and 9 may be dispensed with and the lugs secured directly to the seat portion S and lazy back L in properly spaced relation, so that when the links i5 and I8 are pivotally connected thereto, the same results will be obtained. The rails 3 and 9 are desirable in that they make it possible to assemble the hinge as a complete operative unit which facilitates attaching the lazy back to the seat portion S. If the rails were dispensed with, more care would be required in attaching the hinge to th eseat S and lazy back L, because it is essential that the axes of the pivots l6 and I 9 be substantially alined, as shown in Figure 5, and that the pivots l1 and 2! be similarly axially alined. If desired, the rails 3 or" the hinges may be provided at their endswith suitable clamping elements (not shown) for detachably attaching the lazy back to the seat S, whereby it may be readily detached therefrom for storage, or application to another seat. It is also to be understood that in some instances, the braces 22 may be dispensed with by providing suitable stops (not shown) for preventing over swinging of the lazy back.

While I have herein referred to the invention as particularly applicable for use in connection with the lazy backs, it is to be understood that to a seat, said hinge comprising means for inseparably connecting the lazy back to the seat, wherebyits operative position may be selectively reversed with respect to the seat, and means whereby the lazy back may be folded into flatwise relation withrespect to the seat, whereby it may be used as the seat portion, when not in use as a lazy back.

2. A hinge for reversibly connecting a lazy back to a seat, said hinge comprising, means for inseparably connecting the lazy back to the seat whereby it may be selectively positioned at either side of the seat, and whereby the lazy back may be folded into fiatwise relation with respect to the seat, in proximity thereto when not in use as a lazy back.

' 3. A hinge for inseparably connecting a lazy back to a seat, whereby the operative position of the lazy back may be reversed with respect to the seat, said hinge comprising a pair of links each having one end connected to the seat and their opposite ends to the lazy back, and a brace of hinged sections having its ends pivotally con nected to said. links and adapted to retain both of said links in operative lazy back supporting position.

versed, said hinge comprising brackets secured 4. A hinge for pivotally connecting a lazy back to a seat, whereby the operativeposition of the lazy back may be reversed with respect to the seat, said hinge comprisinga pair of links each having one end pivotally connected to the seat and their opposite ends similarly connected to the lazy back, and a brace of hinged sections pivotally connected to said links and adapted to retain both of said links in operative lazy back supporting position. v a

5. A hinge for pivotally connecting a lazy back to a seat, said hinge comprising a pair of rails, one secured to the seat and the other to vthe lazy back, a link having one end'pivotally connected ,to one end of the seat rail and its opposite end similarly connectedvto one end of the lazy back rail, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the opposite end of the,

seat rail and 'havingits opposite end pivotally connected to 'the opposite end of the lazy back rail, said links and rails cooperating to provide a pivotalsupport for the lazy back, whereby it may be selectively swung into operative position at either side of the seat, and an articulated brace pivotally connected to, said links and operating to retainthe links inlaz'y back supporting positions.

" 6. A hinge for pivotally connecting alazy back to a seat, said hinge comprising a pair of rails,

one secured-to'the seat and the other to the lazy back, a link having one end pivotally connected to one end of the seatrail and its opposite end to the lazy back rail, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the opposite end of the seat rail and having its opposite end pivotally co-nnectedto the opposite end of the lazy back rail, said links and rails cooperating to pivotally support the lazy back on the seat, whereby its operative position with respect to the seat maybe reversed, and. an articulated brace having its terminals pivotally connected to the intermediate portions of said links and operating to retain the links in law back supporting positions, the pivotal connections between said rails, links and brace being such as to permit the lazy back tobe folded into flatwise relation with, respect to the seat, when the lazy back is not in operative position.

7. A hinge' for pivotally supporting a member with respect to a fixed support and whereby the swinging movement of the member may be reto the fixed support in spaced relation, and other bracketssimilarly securedto the pivoted member, a link having one end pivotally connected to one of the brackets of the fixedsupport'and its opposite end pivotally connected to one of the brackets of the pivoted member, a similar link having one end pivotally connected to the" other bracket of the fixed support and its op-- posite end similarly connected" to the other bracket of the pivoted member, and the axes "of the pivots at the corresponding ends of said links being substantially axially alined whereby the pivoted member may be swung to an angular position at either side of the fixed support.

8. A hinge for pivotally supporting a member with respect to a'fixed support and wherebythe swinging movement of thepivoted member may be reversed, said hinge comprising brackets secured to the fixed support and other brackets similarly secured to the pivoted member, a link having one end pivotally connected to one'of the brackets of the fixed support and its opposite end pivotally connectedto one of the brackets of the pivoted member, a similar link having one end pivotally connected to the other bracket of the fixedsupport and its oppositeend to the other bracket of the pivoted member, the axes of the pivots at the corresponding ends of said links being axially alined whereby the pivoted member may be swung to an angular position at either side of the fixed support, and an articulated brace having its terminals connected to the intermediate portions of said links and serving to limit outwardswinging movement of the pivoted member in either direction, said brace also permitting the pivoted member to be swung into a, plane substantially parallel to the. fixed support.

9. A hingefor pivotally connecting a member to a fixed support, whereby, the position of the member may be reversed with respect to the support, said hinge comprising means for inseparably connecting the member to the support, whereby the position of the member may be selectively reversed with respect to the support, and means whereby the member may be folded into fiatwise relation with respect to the support. 

